Sidmouth left it late to maintain their 100% record, beating Topsham 29-25 and ending the home side’s two-year run of wins on their own ground, writes Terry O'Brien.

Topsham got off to a flying start as their quick recycling at the breakdown and swift handling had the Chiefs pinned inside their own half. The visitors’ problems increased when Phil Dollman was yellow carded for a high tackle. The Topsham scrum half kicked the resulting penalty to put his side ahead.

The lead was soon increased when the right winger followed up a short kick over the Sidmouth defence to gather up the ball and outpace the cover for a converted try.

The Chiefs regained their composure to reply with a fine try of their own a few minutes later. The forwards moved the ball through phases into the 22 before the ball was transferred swiftly along the line for Rory O’Brien to sprint over in the corner.

Topsham increased their lead when the right winger followed up his own kick ahead to touch down wide out for an unconverted try.

Again, the Chiefs reply was almost immediate when good handling sent Rory O’Brien sprinting down the wing before finding Jake Allen with an inside pass. The full back touched down under the posts before adding the conversion to level the scores at halftime.

In a repeat of the opening minutes, Topsham were quickly into their stride from the restart. They soon regained the lead with a slick move from a quick tap penalty for the left winger to sprint over for a converted try. The lead was soon increased with a successful penalty.

As in previous weeks, the Sidmouth forwards took control as the game progressed, dominating the scrums and mauling strongly to tire the opposition.

When the Topsham number eight was sent to the sinbin, the Chiefs capitalised with two tries in quick succession, both scored by replacement fly half Jake Smith, making his league debut. He finished off a good handling move before making a break from lineout possession and exchanging passes with Tom Hodge. Both tries were converted.

When the Topsham hooker was sent off for tackling a player in the air, the way was clear for the Chiefs to hold on to their narrow lead.

On Saturday, the Chiefs entertain Truro kicking off at 3pm.